Oppression: Means of Production and Citizens

Karl Marx believes that history is the struggle between the oppressor and the oppressed. Oppression is as old as society. As modern industry has evolved, the Bourgeoisie has been able to use Capitalism to oppress the Proletariat. They mercilessly exploit the Proletariat for their wage labor. The film V for Vendetta depicts a world of oppression that differs from the capitalist oppression Marx mentions. The film illustrates how a government can oppress its people using fear and lies. V for Vendetta uses its characters to portray how oppression occurs by other means than Capitalism. The Parliament of England is the brutal oppressor in V for Vendetta. The Parliament is controlled by totalitarian leaders who believe in total power over its people. They are controlling and ruthless, enforce curfews, eavesdrop on the conversations of the citizens, and make examples out of anyone who speaks out against them. Fear is their ultimate tool. They evoke fear in the citizens by using lies. While discussing the topic of lies to the main character, V, Evey Hammond says, “Politicians use them [lies] to cover the truth up” (V for Vendetta, 2006). What this is implying is that Parliament must use lies to keep fear instilled in the citizens. During much of the film the Parliament’s oppressive leader emphasizes, “England Prevails” (Chancellor Sutler, V for Vendetta). This important quote clarifies how Parliament believes the ends always justify the means. The Citizens of England are oppressed throughout most of V for Vendetta. They live in a state of fear of their tyrannical government. They rise up and revolt against the tyranny, however. They believe something is very wrong with their country. It is filled with cruelty, injustice, intolerance, and oppression. While speaking of Parliament, V cites, “People should not fear their government, government should fear its people” (V for Vendetta). By this he means that the citizens of a country should be controlling that country. They

References: Marx, K. (2010, 1848). The communitst manifesto. In L. Jacobus (Ed), A world of ideas (8th ed.), (pp.359-383). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s McTeigue, J. (Director), & Hill, G. (Producer). (2006). V for vendetta [DVD]. United Kingdom: Warner Bros. Pictures.